Conversations with Austin Architects and Designers

Modern Austin's original series of conversations with Austin architects and designers. We learn who inspires them, discuss their favorite projects, and how they approach their work from concept to completion.

(Photographer: Whit Preston. Mell Lawrence Architects: Baylor Street House)
Mell Lawrence studied architecture at the University of Texas, Austin. After working with Charles Moore, and in a partnership with Paul Lamb, Mell started his firm in 1991. In 2001 Mell Lawrence Architects was voted AIA Firm of the Year in recognition of its consistent excellence in design and … [Read more...]

Before there was “Women in Architecture” (Shape the Conversation, on going now and for the next three weeks, exhibits and events organized and produced by AIA Austin, designed to increase awareness of the breadth of women designers in the built environment), there was a group, self-styled, called “Women in Architecture” in Austin. We spoke to two members of the early “guerilla” … [Read more...]

Calvin Chen was born in Taipei, Taiwan in 1974. He moved to Brisbane, Australia in 1989 where he attended St. Peter’s Lutheran College. Chen became interested in how the unique landscape, climate, and culture of Australia shapes its architecture. After moving to Austin, Texas, and graduating with a professional degree in architecture from UT Austin, Chen studied the poetics of … [Read more...]

(9th Street. Photo: Ryan Farnau)
Tom Hurt Architecture provides full services for building design and master planning including interior finish selection and exterior hardscaping. Having worked as a general contractor, framer and carpenter on various projects, Tom Hurt, AIA, approaches design with a builder’s view of details and work sequencing, and with his office has … [Read more...]

Graduating with a Bachelor of Architecture degree with Highest Honors from the University of Texas at Austin in 1992, David Webber founded Webber + Studio Architects in 1997. David’s distinct perspective has resulted in his award-winning work appearing in more than 70 local, national and international publications. An active member of the AIA, David frequently participates as a … [Read more...]